Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-03-24
CAMP FIRE AND BALL.
The Glorious Time at the Opera
House Last Evening.

The Glorious Time ut the Opera
House Last Evening.
The Walker Opera House once more
appeared in handsome dress last even
ing, the occasion being the grand camp
fire and ball given by the Utah Depart
ment of the G. A. R. as a celebration of
the annual reunion.
The house was we'll crowded, and at 8
o'clock the exercises began by the intro
duction of
GOVERNOR WEST,
Who addressed the assemblage as fol-
lows:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Commander and
Comrades:
In the duty that l have been selected for,
to give fitting welcome to these represent
atlves of the grand work, would summon
to my aid around this place in grand camp
fire, the plumed troop, the neighing steed,
the shrlll shot, the spirit-stirring drum, the
air-piercing pipe. the royal banner, and all
the quality, pomp, pride and circumstance
of war. would again have the troops upon
the march; | would again have the battle
scenes portrayed; l would again have the
hospital, with its ministering angels of
women, attending those who were sick and
wounded; would have all those who fell
in that great struggle, both upon the
victorious side and that of the yanquished;
| would have the leaders upon both sides
here; j would not only have these, but
would have every man whose freedom was
the result of the struggle. Applause. l
would have them all, and with them all only
can fitting tribute be paid to that great
struggle and the result, and to those who
are the survivors of the victorious war.
Applause. And over all l would have the
great spirit of this glorious and united
country, as the result of that grand and
glorious struggle. Now as the voice of the
commander of the post, selected upon the
part of the James B. McKean Post bid
these delegates welcome here. bid, heartily,
earnestly and socially, a welcome; as
official representative of the Govern
ment, whose cause you expoused, who
arms you vigorously carried, and whose flag
you crowned with victory, bid you well
come. Upon the behalf of my comrades
who opposed you valiantly, and each of
whom felt that stern Joy which the warrior
feels in meeting valiant men worthy of his
steel. l bid you welcome. Applause And
now bid you welcome in the name of this
audience, these brave men and these beau
tiful women; they remember and cherish
your deeds of valor; they reap the
benefits and the fruits of the victory
which crowned your arms. l am sure
they will ever cherish in their hearts the
victories and the triumphs that you
have won. Now that your brows are
crowned with victorious wreaths, your
battered arms hung up for monuments your
stern alarms changed to merry meetings,
may JOY wait upon your campfres, here
and elsewhere. May peace, prosperity and
happiness be in your home.
Now then, in closing, will say that
wish that this great and glorious country
may unitedly exist, and that it may keep
upon its surface noble and freedom
loving people, who will cherish and re-
member your deeds of valor and preserve
the fruits of your victory. Applause.
After a song by T. E. Harper. the
pledge was administered to the new De-
partment officers, whose names were pub
lished yesterday.
The new Commander-in-C Chief,
GOVERNOR ELI II. MURRAY,
Was then installed and made hearty
speech in which he promised to attend to
his duty faithfully and to work in the
good cause with ali his heart.
Mr.. J. P. Meakin then sang "Ehrin on
the Rhine, and was followed by a speech
from William H. Nye, of Idaho.
There was then music by the band,
short speech from General McClernand.
a solo by Mr.. Gorlinski, and recitation
by Miss Matte Sells, and the remainder
of the evening was spent in dancing. 1t
was glorious affair, and ali enjoyed it
thoroughly.